The government has decided to import 2 million tonnes of rice in 2023 to replenish diminishing government rice reserves (CBP) needed to stabilize prices at the consumer level, with 500,000 tonnes to be delivered “as soon as possible”. The move has sparked a backlash from smallholders in producing regions, fearing the import would bring down farmgate prices and hurt local farmers.

The Indonesian government finally decided on Thursday to revoke the total palm oil export ban which was imposed on April 28 apparently because the draconian measure caused more damage to the economy.